Sightseeing in Buenos Aires

Once you’ve visited the must sees of this sensational city, there are some other ways to spend your free time from strolling along the dockyard, bird spotting at the eco reserve or drinking coffee in on of San Telmo's many cafes.

Take a guided tour

On arrival we really do suggest taking a guided tour, whether it be a “sit in bus” style tour, a walking tour or a cycling tour. These are great ways to orientate yourself in the city, learn a bit of background history and culture and get some insider tips from a local “Porteño”. You will visit locations such as the 80m Obelisc that stands proud in the middle of the enormous Avenida 9 de Julio, the Government Palace locally known as the “Pink Palace”, the Recoleta Cemetery where Evita was finally laid to rest and the artistic, tango neighbourhood of La Boca.

Explore the City after your Guided Tour

Avenida de Mayo

Walk the Avenida de Mayo from the Casa Rosada until the Plaza de Congreso stopping on the way to poke your head into or stop for a coffee in the Café Tortoni (825) a great way to get a feel for what Buenos Aires would have been like in the early 1900’s.

Teatro Colon (Opera House)

This world famous building sits proudly on the very wide Avenida 9 de Juilo. The inside is breathtaking and a tour not only takes you into the auditorium and many rooms of the Opera House but gives you a great overview of the history of Buenos Aires at the time it was built.

Language: Tours in English

Time: On the hour, every hour lasting 50 mins from 09:00 – 19:00

Cost: ARG$130

(The entrance is on the left hand side of the building on Tucuman).

San Telmo neighbourhood and its cafés

San Telmo is where the aging and young bohemians of Buenos Aires hang out. Traditionally where the upper classes lived until 1871 when a yellow fever out break drove them out. Nowadays you can still see some of the traditional 1800`s architecture, antique shops and sometimes tango in its square. There are also some great cafes – La Poesia, Chile/Bolivar & El Federal, Peru/Carlos Calvo; Plaza Dorrego for people watching, some handicrafts and maybe some tango.

Train lovers...

Metro Line C – for metro lovers, the stations along these lines have some fantastic mosaics.

Retiro Station – a grand old station with its tea rooms still running.

Ecological Reserve

Beyond Puerto Madero you find the extensive ecological reserve which is quite good for bird spotting and escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. Take a picnic, plenty of water and watch the ships as they sail in and out of the River Plate.

Palermo neighbourhood

All within relative proximity to each other you can head to Palermo (take metro line D and get off at Plaza Italia) and visit:

Around Plazoleta Cortazar – Palermo Soho and Palermo Viejo is where all the trendy young Porteños can be found, quirky clothes shops, some great street art and cafes.

Galerias Pacifico

A beautiful old shopping centre, on the busy (quite tacky) pedestrianised street Florida but with this one great highlight, 100% worth a look inside.

Puerto Madero

The newly developed dock yard is a great place for strolling and also has 2 old naval ships docked in docks 3 & 4 that you can visit. A wonderful place to come in the evening as it is well lit, safe and has plenty of restaurants.

Sally says

Look out for Freddo's ice cream shops - not to be missed.

Sally DodgeTailor-made trip & Lakes Specialist

Swoop Says

Sightseeing activities listed don't need to be booked through Swoop. They are time fillers, perfect for a spare afternoon or day in the city.

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